Bessie Lee Lynch Mitchell Simmmons was born in Dallas, Georgia, August 26, 1924, and departed this life January 14, 2020. She was the youngest of 11 children born to Samuel Elisha Lynch and Bessie Stokes Lynch. Along with her parents, siblings George Washington Lynch, Marcus Albion Lynch, Amanda Lou Lynch, William Howard Taft Lynch, Pauline Bertha Lynch Rosser, Mary Geneva Lynch Daniels, Ellen Violet Lynch Davison, Samuel Elisha Lynch and Margaret Louise Lynch Belcher, preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by husbands William Joseph Mitchell, Jr. and John Edward Simmons, Sr.

She attended Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Ala., and the public schools of Paulding County Georgia and worked 32 in civil service at Fort McClellan. She also worked as a real estate broker after retiring from government service. Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Pilgrim Rest Chapter #372, Order of the Eastern Star and Dorcas Art and Social Club. She joined Seventeenth Street Missionary Baptist Church in 1945 and was a faithful member thereafter.

Bessie Simmons was sweet, kind, long suffering, intelligent, strong, conscientious, open-minded, strong willed, a phenomenal money manager, a skilled Canasta and Bridge player who loved the Lord and people. She accomplished much, traveled widely, read voraciously, loved Braves baseball and sports in general. She had a delightful sense of humor; she adored her family and was a loyal friend to many who knew and loved her.

Mrs. Simmons leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Sandra Joan Mitchell Wilmore of Springfield, Virginia, Kathryn Joyce Mitchell of Conley, Georgia, and Carol Elaine Mitchell Johnson of Hoover, Alabama; three granddaughters, Karin Elizabeth Bell Seamons (David) of Atlanta, Georgia, Lesli Nichelle Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama, and Lauren Janine Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama; and a great-granddaughter Aadya Janine Wilson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She also is held close in the hearts of special friend Edward Wood of Anniston, Alabama, and a host of other friends and family.